“Good things don't just happen, you have to make it happen..” that's the first line of my school's pledge. I recite it every morning on the assembly ground. This quote helped in shaping my life. I remember how every great achievement was celebrated in my school. Right there, in the school's auditorium, the awardee was called to the stage with a reverberative applause, a medal and bounty prize were also presented. This recognition and honour is something to reckon on.

Deep down I knew I was made for such a moment as this but I never saw it coming due to my nonchalance and zero drive for growth.

“Class be quiet!" Mr Seyi clamored. I am here because of your mathematics result. Apparently, you all tried except one. Immediately, I heard my name “John, see me in my office”.

“You all can do something better with your free period and stop lazing around. Find something worthwhile doing” he said as he left our classroom and I sheepishly followed him. Mr Seyi is our headmaster and a mathematician but he never taught pupils.

I walked into his office, he ordered me to sit. I sat, while sitting on the chair I  felt like I was in for a therapy session believe me it was nothing far from it because, he literally spoke words that could help me in fighting against failure with the assuring promise he gave to be a guide in my academic pursuit. I was overwhelmed and couldn't believe my hears, I could only imagine how great I would become.

He started the discussion by telling me to recite the school's pledge with so much emphasis on the first line. It was there and then I caught the full picture of what those words really meant. He said “without hardwork and discipline you will get nothing”. He made me realize that I have to pay to get what I desire. If you want to be the best at anything, there is a sacrifice you must pay. Only those who pay the sacrifice will reap the reward.

Truthfully, my laziness made me who I am today but I can make a better future if I erase my lackadaisical attitude to learning. From that day onward, Mr Seyi became my mentor, he was indeed a great mentor. After classes, I went to see him and one day I looked at him in the eye and asked “Sir, why do you do this?” he said “I want to see a better version of you, I want to see you Emerge into greatness, I want you to become a Champion.”

Oh! How this words melted my heart and released the genius in me. Truly, his words did come to pass. I began to read 14 hours a day and my mentor provided more materials for me aside from the textbooks made compulsory at school. He also see that I make judicious use of the library during the free periods.

I got so occupied with reading of books and my search for knowledge increased daily. What Mr. Seyi never knew was that even though he paid more attention to my mathematics performance it paved a way for improvement in the other subjects I offered.

“Have you checked gotten your report card" Mr Seyi asked, Yes sir! I replied. As I told him my scores he nodded his head affirmatively when I was done calling he gave me a pat at the back saying “you have done well child, your parents would be so proud of you".

Without delay, I began to top the class with amazing grades in all subjects. This brought me to limelight all I did was to embrace it. I became a source of inspiration to many people especially my classmates who knew who I used to be and how great I have grown.

But my story hasn't ended. Fortunately for me, I entered the second year of my secondary school education and the school administrative deemed it fit to register me for next the STEM competition which was going to take place amongst secondary school students all over Nigeria to crown the best science student.

I wrote the first stage of the examination and passed. This made me qualified for the next stage with this I have gotten a golden opportunity to compete with other students to win the best science student in Nigeria.

I could never be more ready and Mr. Seyi was right by my side on this. Seeing him made me more confident. My study time increased to 20 hours and I made effective use of it. To many at home and in school I was a mad man who read almost all day but I paid no attention to their pesky word because, I knew what lies ahead so I had to remain focused and zealous.

Right before everyone's eyes my name was called among those who were qualified for the final stage of the STEM 2.0 competition. My heart beats for joy, “could this be happening?” I said to myself. I had scaled through the semi-finals now, it's time to face the biggest deal of my life.

Oh! I haven't mentioned the prizes that were attached. If I win I’ll getting  a whooping sum of #10M which serves as a scholarship throughout my tertiary education, a brand new laptop and a bragging right as the best science student in Nigeria.

What a win!? This will be a great win for me, my family even for my school. I will make a lot of people proud so I’d better win I can't imagine losing this.

Day after day, the grand finale drew closer. Finally, I got on the stage with other finalists. At first, I became very  tensed and didn't think I was ready for the challenge.

“Hero,  can I take a get some water and take a break”, I asked the quiz master. “Yes! you can" he said. Immediately, I sat down drank a little water then, I recalled the words of Mr. Seyi which I was told earlier before coming on the stage “John, you can do it, you can win" I said this to myself and arose to take the challenge.

In no time, the quiz was over and the long-awaited moment has arrived. We all standing before the results were called and to my amazement I was declared the winner of the STEM competition 2.0 edition.

I leaped for joy this is truly a dream come true. I flashed back memory lane to recall my first experience with Mr. Seyi where he called out my name as the poorest student in Mathematics but, here am I today

receiving a reward for my hardwork and discipline truly “rewards are given to those who pay the price for excellence”.

#Cashback